we will walk down together. Unless, of
course, you are in a hurry."

I think it was the expression of my face which led her to add the last
sentence. If I had had time to think, to summon my resolution, it is
possible--yes, it is possible that I should have declared myself to
be in a hurry and gone on alone. But she had caught me unawares and
resolution was wanting. I announced that I was in no hurry at all, and
took the parcel.

We walked on together, she chatting easily, and I pretending to listen,
although aware that our progress was watched by eager eyes and commented
upon and exclaimed over by many tongues. The drawn shades of parlor
windows moved significantly as we passed and, as we turned into the
Lower Road, I glanced over my shoulder and saw Sim Eldredge and his
clerk and Thoph Newcomb and Alvin Baker on the store platform, staring
after us. As if this audience was not sufficient, and to make the affair
complete, we met Captain Dean strutting importantly on his way to the
post-office. He bowed and said "Afternoon," but the look he gave me was
significant. There was surprise in it, and distrust. I knew I should
have to do more explaining at our next meeting. And I knew, too, or
could guess, what was being said that very moment at the store, and of
the surmising and theorizing and strengthening of suspicions which would
go on at a dozen supper tables that evening.

My companion, however, appeared to be quite unconscious of all this.
That I might be suspected and misjudged because she had chanced to
prefer my company to a walk home alone did not, evidently, occur to
her. There was no reason why it should, of course; she was not in the
position where the opinion or suspicions of Denboro's inhabitants need
concern her in the least. But I, angry at Captain Jed for his look and
with Sim Eldredge and his companions for their impudent stares and the
trouble I knew their gossipy tongues would make for me, was gloomy and
resentful.

She did most of the talking and I walked beside her, putting in a word
occasionally and doing my best to appear as unconcerned as she really
was. We crossed Elnathan Mullet's bridge and continued down the Shore
Lane. Suddenly I was aware that she had not spoken for some minutes.

"Eh? Yes, Miss Colton; what is it?" I stammered. Then I realized that
we were standing beside the granite posts marking the entrance to the
Colton grounds. I had been so wrapped in my unpleasant thoughts and
f